• Health - Indoor Air Quality and VOC Exposure

    Indoor Air Quality and VOC Exposure

    VOC exposure could be harming your family — Aprilaire can help.

Household Products Can Emit VOCs

They're invisible, sometimes odorless and potentially devastating.

A VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) is emitted as a potentially harmful gas by a wide array of common household products. VOCs are a primary cause of indoor air quality problems in people’s homes. Young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems may be more affected by VOC exposure than others. But anyone could be affected.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concentration of many VOCs are up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors—regardless of whether the home is located in a rural or highly industrialized area.

Many Common Household Products Produce At Least One VOC

Using any of the following products could expose your family to very high pollutant levels. Elevated concentrations can remain airborne long after use.

  • Paints, paint thinners, varnishes and other solvents
  • Aerosol sprays
  • Air fresheners, candles and incense
  • Cleaning supplies and disinfectants
  • Stored fuels and automotive products
  • Hobby supplies
  • Glues, adhesives and sealing caulks
  • Dry-cleaned clothing
  • New carpeting
  • Secondhand smoke
  • Pressed wood furniture
  • Newspapers
  • Moth repellants
  • Wood preservatives
  • Cooking

Protect Your Family From Harmful VOC Exposure With Aprilaire

You and your family could be exposed to thousands of VOCs a day, putting you at risk for short- and long-term health problems, depending on length of exposure. Health complications include:

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Asthma exacerbation
  • Fatigue
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Memory impairment and loss of coordination
  • Cancer
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Central nervous system damage

Aprilaire Can Help You Remove VOC Pollution for a Healthier, More Comfortable Home

Aprilaire can provide your family with whole-home indoor air quality solutions that help remove VOCs, making your home healthier—and more comfortable.

When using products that emit some type of VOC, ventilation is key to lowering concentration levels. Our whole-home ventilation solutions can replace toxic VOC-filled indoor air with fresh outdoor air.

Our whole-home air purifiers can also lower the amount and level of VOC exposure by cleaning the air in your entire house up to four times an hour.